Rose of India

Common Name: Rose of India, Pride of India, Pride of Bolivia, Bungor Raya
Scientific Name: Lagerstroemia speciosa
Family: Lythraceae
Origin: India, Indo-China, West Malaysia

Food / Medical Facts:

• Roots are used for stomach problems.
• The leaves of the tree can be used to brew tea which is used against diabetes, kidney and urinary problems.
• The taste of the tea is said to be pleasant and smooth.
• In Japan, the tea is known as "slimming tea" as the tea is known to help in weight loss for some people.

Information for the Expert:

• Banaba leaves are able to lower blood sugar.
• Banaba also contains concentrations of dietary fiber and minerals such as magnesium and zinc..
• Banaba helps the body handling glucose and is as such also effective in weight loss.
• The hypoglycemic (blood sugar lowering) effect is similar to that of insulin (which induces glucose transport from the blood into body cells).